3071
Extraordinary, Extremely Rare Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Rifle with Rare Merrill Breech Loading Conver
Currency:USD
Category:Firearms & Military
Start Price:10,000.00 USD
Estimated At:25,000.00 - 37,500.00 USD
SOLD
20,000.00USDto floor+ buyer's premium
This item SOLD at 2012 Sep 09 @ 09:48UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT
Did you win this lot?
A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Estimate: $25000 - 37500
This is a beautiful, like new example of an Exceptional U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Rifle with the very rare "Merrill Breech Loading" Conversion. It is estimated that only a total of 100 examples of the Merrill Breech loading device were ever produced on three different type of U.S. martial rifles, primarily, the Model 1842 Musket, a few examples of the Model 1841 "Mississippi" Rifle, and the Model 1847 Cavalry Musketoon. With this low of total production numbers divided between three different rifles, would certainly indicate that in the case of this M1841 rifle, not more than 10-20 rifles were actually so modified making it among the rarest and most desirable of all the Civil War Breech Loading conversions, with surviving examples being almost non-existent. This beautiful all original example was previously in the U.S. Cartridge Company collection and has the inventory number "1465" stamped on the top of the stock directly under the hammer. The Merrill conversion was developed by James Merrill in 1861-62 time frame and consisted of actually removing the standard breech plug and replacing it with a complete six-inch long, sliding breech loading mechanism and loading lever. This conversion effectively allowed the user to actually load the rifle from the rear of the barrel similar to the standard breech loaders of today, but still used the standard Civil War era, paper wrapped, bullet and powder charge. Pretty innovative for the 1861-62 time frame! The standard bolster and nipple were retained, however modified to accept a clean out-screw. The lock plate was also modified with an additional short lock screw that entered from the right side, just in front of the hammer, which was necessitated by the Merrill conversion. At the time of conversion this rifle was also modified by the addition of a three leaf, folding rear sight. The leafs are marked "1", "3" and "5", obviously in 100 yard increments. The original brass-tipped ramrod has been replaced with a steel ramrod with recessed trumpet-shaped head. The rifle itself is a standard Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Rifle with the lock plate is marked: "HARPERS / FERRY / 1850" vertically behind the hammer and has the Eagle and Shield over "U.S." in front of the hammer. The left side of the barrel is stamped "WW / P" perpendicular to the bore followed by small "V / P / Eagle Head" inspection marks parallel to the bore at the breech. The breech mechanism has a casehardened finish and is stamped "JAS.H.MERRILL / BALTO. PATENTED / JULY 1858" at the rear. The left stock flat is stamped with the inspector's initials "JLR" over a small reversed single letter "R". The barrel has a deep armory brown finish, with the lock plate, hammer and trigger being color casehardened, The rear sight, band springs and screws are blued. Sling swivels and ramrod are bright. The buttplate, patch box, trigger guard, side plate and barrel bands are brass. The stock is black walnut with an oil finish. This beautiful rifle is complete with an original , like new White Buff leather sling. The sling is very nicely stamped/marked "S.H. Young & Co. Newark, N.J." over "R. White U.S. Ord. Dept. Sub Inspector"
BBL: 33 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 54 percussion
Finish: armory brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Exceptional near new condition with 98% plus of the original armory brown finish with just a hint of wear and handling marks in some areas, with the muzzle area just showing a hint of a bayonet ring on the left side/underside of the barrel. The wood is excellent with a beautiful all original dark brown color overall with a few minor light pressure dents of the underside/sides of the forend in couple of places, (probably from being placed in a rifle rack). The inspector initials are crisp and distinct and the lock plate and escutcheon flat, edges are crisp. The lock plate and hammer retain 40% of their original case colors overall with more color in the protected areas. The brass was lightly shined or cleaned a long, long time ago (not removed or heavily buffed) and is now starting to take on a aged mellow look. The White buff sling is also in like new condition with a clear deep inspectors cartouche that are still readable. With the sling supple with excellent white leather finish overall. Truly a beautiful example of an all original rifle that would be impossible to improve on, certainly for the advanced, high end collector or investor!
More Information
Auction Location:
7819 42nd St West, Rock Island, Illinois, 61201, United States
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20.5% |
Additional Fees:
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1. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. The following conditions of sale make up the entire terms and conditions on which items listed in our catalog, on the internet web site and addendum sheets will be offered for sale or sold by Rock Island Auction Company (known hereafter as “RIAC”). All bidders who participate by bidding in this auction agree to the terms and condition of sale and agree to be bound by same. Any notices, posted or oral during the sale, are also part of our condition of sale agreement. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of the following terms and conditions of sale. The purchaser’s rights and our respective rights and obligations hereunder are governed by Illinois law. By bidding at our auction whether in person or by agent, sealed bid, telephone bid, via the internet or other means, the buyer or bidder agree that the contract created by these conditions of sale is made and performed in the County of Rock Island, State of Illinois and further agrees that should any dispute arise from this contract the sole and exclusive jurisdiction for contractual disputes is Rock Island County. Auctioneer is not responsible for any errors of the buyer including but not limited to the buyer bidding on the wrong lot.
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DISPUTES UNDER THIS CONTRACT
Buyer and RIAC agree to mediate any dispute or claim arising between them resulting from the buyer participating in the auction or any resulting transaction. Furthermore the buyer and RIAC agree should Mediation be necessary that Mediation fees if any will borne equally by the parties. Buyer and RIAC are required under the terms and condition of sale to enter into Mediation before arbitration or any court action. Should a party commence legal action other than Mediation without giving written notice to the other party that party will not be entitled to recover attorney’s fees even if they would otherwise be allowed to that party in the action. All mediation, arbitration and court proceedings, whether in state or federal court, shall be filed and conducted solely within Rock Island County, State of Illinois, and not in any other jurisdiction.
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Limitation of Liability. Except as expressly provided above, all property is sold “as is”. Rock Island Auction Company nor the consignor makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the title, merchantability, fitness or condition of the property or as to the correctness of description, genuineness, attribution, provenance or period of the property or as to whether the purchaser acquires any copyrights or other intellectual property rights in lots sold or as to whether a work of art is subject to the artist’s moral rights or other residual rights of the artist. All firearms and ammunition are sold as collector lots only. fitness to fire or otherwise discharge the arm or ammunition is expressly denied by rock island auction company. a competent gunsmith should be consulted before attempting to use or fire any firearm or ammunition. the purchaser expressly acknowledges and agrees that in no event shall Rock island auction company be liable for any damages including without limitation any compensatory, incidental or consequential damages.
3/14/2012 8:56:55 AM